LIMA, Peru – The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors marked a significant milestone in its efforts across Latin America with the second regional meeting of Memorare Advisors on Feb. 28, 2025. The gathering took place during the 4^th Latrin American Congress on the Protection of Minors, co-organized by CEPROME Latin American, PCPM, and the Peruvian Bishop’s Conference.  

The Memorare initiative, one of the three pillars of the Holy Father’s mandate to the Commission, constitutes  the concrete implementation of Articles 2 and 5 of “Vos estis lux Mundi,” reflecting also the Pope’s desire to ensure that regardless of social injustices, all members of the Church, wherever they are , have access to the resources necessary to find in it a safe and welcoming space, where respect and a culture of mutual care prevail, protecting minors and vulnerable people from the risk of sexual abuse, and ensuring that those who have suffered from it receive the support and care necessary to achieve the justice and reparation they require. 

“The possibility of achieving these objectives is thanks to two fundamental factors: on the one hand, the generosity of some local churches, such as the Italian Church and the Spanish Church, which donate funds to finance this initiative  and , on the other hand, the work of the Memorare advisors,” – Patricia Espinosa Hernandez, Global Coordinator of the Memorare Initiative. 

“These Safeguarding professionals are the boots on the ground of each local Memorare capacity building program. They are responsible for the successful implementation of the prevention and protection programs in safeguarding together with their local church community from parish right up to leadership level”, she continued. “And most importantly, they also help their local churches establish centers for the care of victims and their families.” 

In just one year, the Memorare initiative has expanded significantly, growing from three to ten new projects in local churches across Panama, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Uruguay and Argentina, including Rawson/Patagonia, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz. Additional programs have been established in Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the provinces of San Luis Potosí and Mexico Province, both in Mexico. 

This expansion highlights the collective commitment of episcopal conferences, religious congregations, and lay leaders in local churches, reinforcing the need for collaboration in safeguarding minors. The meeting was attended by Memorare Advisors, PCPM Secretary Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera, regional expert Fr. Daniel Portillo, and Patricia Espinosa. 

A key focus of the meeting was the exchange of experiences, where Memorare Advisors shared both the challenges and best practices encountered in their communities. This approach aims to strengthen the network not only through communication but also through shared learning and the implementation of effective, locally adapted solutions. 

Collaboration was emphasized as a fundamental pillar of the initiative, fostering a sense of synodality and unity under the principle, “One Church for the Protection of Minors.” Participants also received training on logistical aspects of the Memorare program, underscoring transparency and accountability as essential components of its success. 

The gathering represents a crucial step toward creating safer environments for minors, reflecting the Catholic Church’s growing commitment in Latin America to this critical mission.